Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 2, Number 27, DeMotte, Jasper County, 26 January 1933 — IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson [ARTICLE]

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL Lesson

By REV. P. B. FITZWATER,

D. D., Mem-

Lesson for January 29 JESUS AND THE SABBATH Mark 2:23-3:6. GOLDEN TEXT--The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath; therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Mark 2:27, 28. PRIMARY TOPIC--Jesus Keeping God’s Day. JUNIOR TOPIC--Keeping God’s Day. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP-IC--How to Use Sunday. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC--The Lord’s Day. I. Jesus Eating With Publicans and Sinners (2:13-17). 1. The call of Levi (v. 14). Levi was a tax gatherer under the Roman government. As Jesus passed by he commanded him to leave his business and follow him. 2. Jesus dining in Levi’s house (v. 15). It seems that when Levi found the Saviour, he invited many of his business associates to eat with him. This gave a fine opportunity.for Jesus to come into touch with some of these sinners. 3. The perplexed scribes and Pharisees (v. 16). They asked, “How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?” The question carried with it the charge that Christ was having fellowship with sinning men. 4. Jesus’ reply (v. 17). “They that are whole have no need of the physician: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The veiled charge of moral carelessness on the part of the Lord could not be denied if Jesus was a mere man. Jesus recognized the moral condition of his associates and declared that he had come as the divine Physician to heal their spiritual maladies. Surely no physician could cure sick folk without coming into contact with them. II. Jesus and Fasting (2:18-22). 1. The question asked (v. 18). They asked why Christ’s disciples did not fast. This objection suggests a lack of seriousness of purpose on the part of the disciples. The fast indicated solemnity and seriousness of purpose. John the Baptist was now in prison, therefore his disciples would naturally mourn and fast for him. 2. Christ’s answer (vv. 19-20). “Can the children of the bride chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them?” The Joy of Christ’s disciples in present congenial companionship prevented their fasting. He declared, however, that the time would come when they would fast. 3. New wine in old bottles (vv. 21, 22). He proceeded to illustrate this by figures of cloth and wine skin. The Lord’s purpose was to show the folly of imposing old customs on the new age. III. Jesus and the Sabbath (2:233:6). 1. The disciples plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath (vv. 23-28). a. Charge made against the disciples (vv. 23, 24). That they had violated the Sabbath law. For this act the Pharisees accused them of lawlessness. The Pharisees had glossed over the Sabbath law with so many regulations that it became a burden. b. Jesus defends them (vv. 25-28). (1) He cites a precedent (vv. 25, 26). David, the great king of Israel, had gone into the house of God and eaten the bread which should be eaten only by the priests. The higher law of human need warranted David’s breaking the law in this case. (2) He shows the nature of the Sabbath law (v. 27). The Sabbath was made for man, therefore its right use is to be determined by the good of man. (3) Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath (v. 28). It was Jesus who instituted it when creation was finished. Therefore, he had a right to use it as it pleased him for man’s good. 2. Jesus healing a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath (3:1-6). a. The place (v. 1). It was in the synagogue, the place of worship. b. The Pharisees watching (v. 2). The motive which actuated their watching was an evil one. c. The man an example (v. 3). Jesus wanted the case to be open to all, so he commanded the man to stand forth where all could see him. d. The question asked (v. 4). “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” He plainly showed them that to fail to do good, to show works of mercy, to save life, is to be guilty of wrongdoing, even of murder. e. The man healed (v. 5). Christ healed him by speaking the word. f. The result (vv. 4, 6). The Pharisees were silenced. They sought how they might put him to death.